Surgical management of traumatic extra dural hematoma in children: Experiences and analysis from 24 consecutively treated patients in a developing country

Outcomes of Evacuating Subacute Extradural Hematoma Through a Minicraniectomy: A 5-Year Study

Background Extradural hematoma (EDH) is a hematoma between the dura and the inner surface of the skull, found in 1 to 3% of all head-injured patients, rising to 9% among the unconscious ones. It is said to be subacute when about 2 to 4 days old. Further enlargement of the burr hole to about 3 to 5 cm wide (minicraniectomy) may allow its total evacuation.

Objective To recommend it as a treatment option, this study aims to evaluate the surgical outcomes of evacuating a subacute EDH through a minicraniectomy.

Method This was a 5-year prospective study in a Nigerian tertiary health institution.

Results In total, 108 patients, consisting of 96 males and 12 females with a male to female ratio of 8:1 were included. Their ages ranged from 10 to 69 years. Etiologies were road traffic accident (RTA, 73.2%), assault (18.5%), and falls (8.3%). Hematoma ages were 2 days (61.1%), 3 days (25%), 4 days (13.9%). GCS were mild (11%), moderate (56%), and severe (33%). Locations were right-sided (59.3%), left-sided (40.7%) with 73.1% in parietotemporal area. Active bleeding was encountered in 15% only. Postoperative complications were seizure (13.9%), death (12%), and surgical site infection (4.6%) among others. Outcomes at 2 weeks were good (83, 76.9%), moderate disability (12, 11.1%), severe disability (10, 9.3%), vegetative (1, 0.9%), and death (2, 1.9%).

Conclusion Considering the significant morbidity and mortality and the need for urgent interventions in EDH, most patients presenting in the subacute acute (2– 4 days) stage can be evacuated via a minicraniectomy with good outcomes.

Supratentorial extradural hematoma in children: An institutional clinical experience of 65 cases

Aim and Objective:

To survey the epidemiology, management, and severity of extradural hematoma (EDH) in children.

Materials and Methods:

All patients of EDH (n = 65) in the age group of 0–16 years admitted to our department during the period of August 13 and July 14 were analyzed retrospectively from the hospital records. In all patients, age, sex, mode of injury, clinical presentation, site of EDH, management, duration of hospitalization, and outcome were evaluated.

Observation and Results:

Of 65 patients, males were 70.76% with a male to female ratio of 2.4:1, most of the victims (47.69%) were in the age group of 11–16 years. Mean duration of hospitalization was 4.32 days. The most common mode of injury was fall from height in 29 cases (44.61%) followed by road traffic accident (RTA) in 23 cases (35.35%). Temporoparietal EDH was the most common computed tomography finding present in 22 (33.84%) patients. 67.69% patients presented to casualty with minor head injury having Glasgow coma scale (GCS) between 14 and 15. Most common presenting feature was vomiting in 52 cases (80%) and next to it was altered sensorium. The mortality rate was 7.69% (n = 5).

Conclusion:

Extradural hematoma is a life-threatening entity encountered in pediatric head injury. Timely intervention and diagnosis decrease mortality to a great degree. Most of the mortality is encountered in patients who presented late at the neurosurgical unit with low GCS.